Leaf Thursday, January 5, 2023 Vol. 29 No. 1 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.00
Woman Charged With Voting In Ohio and Florida Staff Report A former Geauga County resident is accused of casting a ballot in two states in the 2020 general election. Ashley E. Gelman, 40, of Parkland, Fla., and formerly of Russell Township, has been indicted on one count each of illegal voting, a fourth-degree felony, and election falsification, a fifth-degree felony. In October 2022, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose referred Gelman to Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for potential voter fraud violations. Through a joint partnership with several states, including Florida, LaRose’s office conducted a cross-match of Gelman’s voter history and subsequent investigation. “As a result of this review at this time, my office identified one individual who appears to have voted in Geauga County, after casting a ballot in a different state in the See Voting • Page 2
Flood Repairs Delay Return for CHS Students
By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com
Chardon High School students have an extra day to sleep off their winter break after Superintendent Michael Hanlon announced the building will be closed Jan. 4 through Jan. 6 due to ongoing repairs after low temperatures caused a water line to burst in the upstairs hallway of one of the oldest parts of the building Dec. 25. Students will be provided with virtual instruction through the end of the week as work continues in downstairs classrooms, which See Flooding • Page 4
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A pipe burst in an upstairs classroom at Chardon High School late into the night of Dec. 25. While cleanup continues, CHS will be closed to students Jan. 4-6 as teachers prepare virtual instruction for the remainder of the week.
Opinion pages 6-7
Sports pages 10-11
Obituaries pages 6-7
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices
Sheriff Recovers 1 Stolen Vehicle The Geauga County Sheriff’s Office has recovered one of the three stolen vehicles from Junction Auto’s showroom, said Chief Deputy Tom Rowan. The 2020 Black Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk, listed at $89,900 on the Junction Auto website, was found in Cleveland, Rowan said. Two other vehicles — a 2022 White Dodge Challenger Scatpack and 2021 Granite Challenger — are still not recovered but detectives are investigating leads.
Small Steps May Lead to Big Strides in New Year
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Classifieds page 15
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Single Edition $1.00 IMAGE VIA CHARDON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
New Year’s Eve had an unearthly feel in uptown Chardon, after a massive winter storm moved out of the area and warmer temperatures moved in. Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa Ricco snapped photos of the eerie fog that settled over the area. The photos, including views around the square, proved popular on the Chamber’s Facebook page, and anyone who would like a copy can stop by the Chamber office at 213 Main Street, or contact the Chamber via www.chardonchamber.com.